ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio University football freshman defensive end Tarell Basham was named to the 13th annual Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America Team on Monday.

Basham (Rocky Mount, Va.) was named to the team after he led the Bobcats with 7.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this past season. His 7.5 sacks are tied for fifth on the program's all-time single season sack list. He also recorded 32 tackles (16 solo) and tallied five quarterback hurries.

"I'm excited for Tarell (Basham) and our football program," said head coach Frank Solich. "He's had a great season and he is just beginning to scratch the surface with his talent."

In 2013, Basham played in all 13 games and made five starts, including one in the Beef `O' Brady's Bowl in St. Pettersburg, Fla.

Basham and fellow freshman Corey Davis from Western Michigan were the only two Mid-American Conference players that were named to the squad. Since the FWAA Freshman All-America team began in 2001, only 16 MAC players have been named to the squad.

The team and coach are selected by a 10-person panel of nationally-prominent writers led by Mike Griffith of the MLive Media Group. Both true freshmen (21 players) and redshirt freshmen (seven players) were considered for the team and are so noted.